The tax impact was trimmed from 6.35% to 5.58% on Thursday night, January 26, 2023, as Chatham-Kent Council held their first night of budget deliberations at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci entered a successful motion, which lowered the 6% inflation number for capital and lifecycle costs to 4%.
Ceccacci’s motion resulted in a savings of approximately $1.36-million to the 2023 budget.
“To be honest, I’m finding it a very challenging aspect to find cuts and savings in this budget,” Ceccacci said.
“I know our staff have done a really good job this year at removing a lot of the fluff. In speaking with staff this is a number, that may not be perfect, but they are at least palatable with.”
Council also approved the 2023 budget for the Chatham-Kent Police Service on Thursday.
Chief Gary Conn provided a presentation to Council on their budget, which came in at a 3.3% increase from last year.
Chief Conn said the $35.3 million budget, which includes a net increase of approximately $1.13-million, includes no service reductions or new hires.
“Although it is bare bones, it is still attainable, while ensuring adequate and effective policing,” Conn said.
Overall, the increase to the police budget results in a 0.64% impact to the overall Chatham-Kent budget.
Additional budget deliberations will be held on January 31, 2023 and on February 1 and 2, 2023, as needed.
For more information on the 2023 Municipal Budget and budget events, visit www.chatham-kent.ca/municipalbudgets.
